Monday, 22 June 2015
Pesticide Derogation Update
The FSC Board of Directors has approved the FSC Pesticide Derogation Procedure (FSC-PRO-30-001 V1-0)
This document describes the procedure to apply for temporary derogation to use pesticides that FSC has identified as ‘highly hazardous’ (HHP), and are normally prohibited in FSC certified forests and plantations according to Criterion 10.7 of the Principles and Criteria V5-1.
The revised procedure will come into effect on 1st September 2015.
The FSC Board of Directors is also granting an extended application period until 30th June 2016 to stop the use of, or submit derogation applications for new pesticides included in the HHP list during its update in March. The extension will provide a smooth transition to the revised requirements, and allow for the establishment of National Integrated Pest Management Advisory Groups to carry out national evaluations of derogation applications.
The use of local and regional expertise will also be strengthened in the evaluation of derogation applications. FSC will soon open a call for expressions of interest from pesticides experts around the globe to join the pool of technical advisors to the Pesticides Committee.
Finally, in response to stakeholder concerns expressed during the recent revision processes, the FSC Board of Directors has approved a revision of the FSC Pesticides Policy without first going through the formal review process. More details on this revision will be released soon.
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please send them to pesticides.policy at fsc point org